Linked-In The Real World

- Tai Bendit, Excel Business 2015

Three weeks ago, I shed my cap and gown and entered the “Real World.” Those of you headed back to college in the next few weeks may still feel some mystification around this transition — I certainly did.

Already, the annual “school-year” timeline that has shaped my life up until this point is beginning to fade. August is here, but there is no first day of school and no textbooks to purchase. I did not wrap up my internship, pack my bags, and return to greet dewey-eyed freshman on campus.

Instead, I moved to San Francisco to be a “real person” in what has (so far) felt like a dream job. I joined LinkedIn in the Strategy and Analytics Rotational Program as part of a cohort of 8 people. For my first rotation, I’m working on the Business Operations Team serving product managers on LinkedIn Marketing Solutions. I’m learning how to navigate LinkedIn’s databases using SQL, monitor monetary impact of new product launches, and get around the beautiful Sunnyvale campus by bike!

I’m grateful for the amazing mentors I had during my job search (including some awesome Excel alumni), and for those of you returning from Israel and on the hunt, I want to pass the same demystifying advice I received: you can approach the enigma of finding a job in the real world the same way that you approach any life choice — simply follow the people you admire and work you find engaging.

And these are some of the things I sought out that I love about my job:

  1. The Cohort Experience

All of us who have been through Excel are familiar with what a great cohort feels like. In the extensive research on relationships in the workplace, there’s evidence that people who have friends at work find their jobs more enjoyable, worthwhile, and satisfying. So one of my priorities was choosing a job where I would have a group of like-minded peers I could connect with.

For students coming out of college, consulting firms and investment banks are known for creating opportunities for close friendships among the incoming class through a cohort experience. Groups of new hires bond over shared experiences in training, through social events, and on the job. I’ve found the same community through the S&A program, both within my own class of eight and with the folks who’ve gone through the program. Jeff Weiner, LinkedIn’s CEO, describes these people well. He talks about those he most likes to work with using the following Venn diagram, and these three qualities (dream big, get shit done, know how to have fun) are definitely ones that I found in my cohort here at LinkedIn:

2) Professional Mentorship

As I started my career, I wanted to be surrounded by a group of inspiring and hardworking people who could help me grow professionally. Through my role at LinkedIn, mentors have come in many flavors.

Anthony Tjan talks about three kinds of mentors that great employees have at work: buddy mentors, career mentors, and life mentors. One of my favorite things about the S&A program is that it has a strong culture of mentorship in all of these areas. During our training, 2nd year S&A analysts led workshops on everything from 401K enrollment to email etiquette, and organized social outings for our class after work. On my team, I work alongside two graduates of the program who are brilliant and incredibly accessible. Each new analyst is also set up with a professional development mentor, a more senior level team member who helps oversee our growth within the company. My mentor has been a leader at LinkedIn for 5 years (and has started his own company!)

Me and my peer mentor, Isha, on Half Dome for Sunrise

3) Engaging, Analytical Work

LinkedIn has a favorite hashtag: #AlwaysBeLearning. Jeff Weiner (sorry to quote him twice, but he is a Wharton Grad) wrote about what it means to learn and connect to opportunity, after the acquisition of Lynda.com (now LinkedIn Learning…p.s. check if your university has a subscription — Penn does and I didn’t realize until a month before graduation.)

The rotational program fits really well into my conception of #alwaysbelearning, as demonstrated by these two graphs. Each 6 months I’ll get to dive into a new team with it’s own people, procedures, and culture. And although it will involve a lot of ramping up, I’ll be constantly learning new skills, making new connections, and exploring my strengths and interests.

4) A Culture of Compassion

I’ve spoken about the importance of a culture of compassion at work. Walking into LinkedIn, it’s easy to feel that the company deeply cares about it’s people. This month, the theme for InDay, a company-wide culture day, was relationships. Last Friday, people took time off to bond with teammates (my team went to the zoo) or engage in volunteer work. Within the S&A program, the focus on building meaningful relationships runs deep: the most common advice I’ve received from program alumni and leadership is to meet people from all around the company and learn about what they do.

Surprise birthday cake for my teammate, Sahil

Think before Browsing

If you’ve ever taken a multiple choice test, you may have been advised to write down the ideal answer in your words before looking at the choices. For those of you still job-hunting, consider applying the same logic: instead of starting by browsing jobs, start by laying out what an ideal job would look like. Doing so may broaden the range of choices you consider and save you time applying to positions that might not be a good fit.

To me, the four factors above were paramount, and I feel so lucky that this process landed me here at LinkedIn. I’d love to share my learnings with you and curious to hear your thoughts.

If you’re reading this post and interested in hearing more about the Strategy and Analytics Program, it’s partner BLP Global Sales program, or anything else, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Special shout-out to Birthright Israel Excel Philly: thank you for a wonderful few years in Philadelphia and for allowing me to serve as your social captain. Keep the community strong!

Tai Bendit is a Strategy and Analytics Analyst at LinkedIn. He graduated Summa Cum Laude in 2017 from the Wharton School of Business at Penn, where he studied information systems and organizational behavior. He participated in Birthright Israel Excel in 2015 as an intern at Triventures. Tai is an avid traveler and drummer. Email Tai at tbendit@linkedin.com.

Birthright Israel Excel Blog

Birthright Israel Excel is a lifelong fellowship that engages talented, creative Jewish young adults interested in business and entrepreneurship. Following their professional summer experience in Israel, Fellows join a vast network of rising leaders. Follow us for their stories!

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Birthright Israel Excel

Written by

Birthright Israel Excel Blog

Birthright Israel Excel is a lifelong fellowship that engages talented, creative Jewish young adults interested in business and entrepreneurship. Following their professional summer experience in Israel, Fellows join a vast network of rising leaders. Follow us for their stories!

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